Liberty Trails specialises in providing luxury holidays on Dartmoor with unrivalled riding, luxurious accommodation and sumptuous food its speciality. It has partnered with some of Dartmoor’s most idyllic and well known places to stay and eat to offer a range of horseback riding holidays tailor made to the finest detail to meet individual needs.

Passionate about everything Dartmoor has to offer, founder Elaine Prior explained: “Dartmoor is a magnificent area in Great Britain and there to be savoured and enjoyed. We’ve found that by creating individual itineraries and taking care of every single detail our guests really get the best out of Dartmoor

“ As a team we’ve focussed on providing guests with the riding holiday of a lifetime and we are gradually proving that Dartmoor can compete world wide as a destination for horse riding holidays. We’ve hand picked some exceptional local guides and are partnering with the very best hotels in the region.

Stabling is another priority and for people wishing to bring their own horses it is top class, while those wishing to ride hired horses, can relax on high quality, foot-sure and experienced horses.

Liberty Trails has five very different packages to suit every horse rider’s dream of riding across magnificent landscapes in the company of their horses.

The ultimate gastronomic and equine indulgence is the company’s Horseback Safari and Gastronomic Adventure. Staying at the world-renowned Gidleigh Park, this superb package is for seasoned riders who adore great riding, love fantastic food and understand the importance of luxury.

Horse Parties at Saddletor Cottage are the perfect escape for small groups of friends who want to combine riding on Dartmoor with luxuriousaccommodation and food prepared by an in-house chef. Horses are stabled just a stone’s throw from the cottage which is situated in the heart of Dartmoor.

Dartmoor Riding Adventures are for those wishing to fulfil a dream of riding like a cowboy. western style. These trail rides explore Dartmoor’s mesmerising scenery, with delicious food and wonderful accommodation to be enjoyed at the end of a long day in the saddle.

For those who opt for a Horseback Safaris, riders will cover a reasonable distance each day to discover remote and unspoiled parts of Dartmoor. Accommodation is anything from an ultra-comfortable hotel to a delightful holiday cottage and while you return to the same luxurious place every night, your horse stays at a comfortable outpost so you can pick up where you left off, continuing your adventure the next day.

This year the company has added a new Liberty Trails Dartmoor Challenge to its offering with the Inured Jockeys Fund its nominated charity. Liberty Trails supports paralysed former jockey Sarah Gaisford who has receives ongoing rehabilitation through the IJF. Those wishing to support the charity can embark on a horse riding challenge by raising sponsorship and then committing to a two-day ride across Dartmoor with Liberty Trails taking care of the logistics for horses and riders.

Liberty Trails excels in providing bespoke Dartmoor Horseback Adventures and is perfect for those wishing to discover a magnificent part of the UK, while enjoying stunning food and accommodation. www.libertytrails.co.uk 07866 497976 01548 831548

Richard wanted to try something new and as he had achieved his very first canter on a western style trekking horse decided to contact the Western Equestrian Society who put him in contact with instructor Lauren Jolly who has been part of the British reining team.

Richard arrived early and full of excitement for his very first Western lesson and decides to take this opportunity to get introduced to the groom and make friends with Smokey, a very calm dark bay quarter horse that he would be riding.

By the time Lauren arrived, Smokey and Richard had become well acquainted; Together Lauren and Richard tacked her up and walked across to the menage.

Richard tells us all about his first lesson...

On arriving at the menage I noticed that the stirrups were so much shorter than I had expected and unlike the many cowboy films I had watched as a child where the reins were held in one hand, I was told to hold the reins in two hands.

I was starting from the beginning again, the cues and aids for western reining were totally different to the ones I was used to in my regular riding lessons. Lauren talked me through the cues for walk which were to lightly move my lower leg away from the horse's side and then back again. This subtle movement was enough to propel Smokey into a fast walk.

The first correction I had to make was to slow the walk right down and relax, and try to get a good even pace; this was so different to the marching active walk I do in my English riding lessons.

To start with I struggled to keep the walk slow, however it didn't take Lauren long to identify why this was happening. I kept leaning forward, in western reining the weight aid is used to control the pace with in a gait, so to lean forwards is to speed up and to lean back is to slow down. A couple of attempts and I mastered the control and pace of Smokey, realizing that this was a common theme in my riding, this correction was going to be relevant and beneficial to my English style riding.

Lauren soon took me to the next stage of my lesson where she instructed me to send a signal down the loose reins (a light alternate flick) to get Smokey to lower her head in to the long and low western outline, followed by turning Smokey which could only be achieved by moving my outside rein on to the horses neck and opening the inside rein away from the neck and towards the centre of the circle, in conjunction with putting more weight on my inside stirrup. WOW in wasn't long before Smokey and I were walking circles and figure eights confidently and correctly.

Walk mastered - Lauren instructed me on the aids for halt. I had to sit deeper in the saddle, let my upper body weight go back and raise my legs out and forwards from the horses' body. And that was it, just like magic Smokey stopped. It felt very alien to me not to be pulling on my reins to halt and took lots of concentration on my part not to move my arms back, I had to really focus on sitting up as soon as Smokey stopped, otherwise she thought I wanted her to back up. A few attempts at halt and we were both in tune with each other.

Moving on to the Western Jog.

This is best described to an English rider as a slow sitting trot, the art of it is to keep the horse just above the point of dropping back to walk. After a bit of effort, I got the hang of how it felt and before I knew it I was making the transition from walk to 'jog' by fanning my lower leg (moving the leg away from Smokey's side and then back to a light contact) and making a clicking noise at the same time. The horse makes the transition up to the 'jog' .however it is imperative that you keep the transition slow and relaxed and use the whole of the long side to achieve this - again I found this exercise to be the complete opposite to my English lessons where the walk to trot transition has to be direct and at an exact point.

My first Western Riding lesson was an enjoyable and fun experience and I was disappointed when the hour came to an end.

I found Western to be a relaxed style of riding that actually suited the way I naturally ride which was great - my introductory lesson encouraged and relaxed me so that I was able to take the time I needed to work with the horse , Laurens style of teaching also helped with my confidence levels - she really does encourage you to enjoy and have fun - the whole experience left me so much more aware of how my body, movement and balance affects the way the horse responds to aids - I came away knowing that my general riding could only benefit from adding Western riding to my riding experiences‚ I couldn't wait for the next lesson.

Next time - Richard moves up to the lope and tries out other Western Reining moves too!

FOLLOW RICHARDS STORY SO FAR - IT WILL INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE ALL RIDERS -READ MORE

]]>Riding - Riding Experiences and HolidaysWed, 12 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0000EVER THOUGHT ABOUT HAVING A GO AT CARRIAGE DRIVING? - From happy hacker to eventer, there is something for everyone to enjoyhttp://horseanswerstoday.com/latest-riding-tips-and-advice/rider-experience-and-holidays/item/1399-ever-thought-about-having-a-go-at-carriage-driving-from-happy-hacker-to-eventer-there-is-something-for-everyone-to-enjoy
http://horseanswerstoday.com/latest-riding-tips-and-advice/rider-experience-and-holidays/item/1399-ever-thought-about-having-a-go-at-carriage-driving-from-happy-hacker-to-eventer-there-is-something-for-everyone-to-enjoy

Have you ever thought about having a go at carriage driving? There are carriage driving equivalents of happy hacking, showing, dressage and eventing so there really is something for everyone to enjoy. We talked to the carriage driving and carriage building experts, Bennington, to find out all about it.

Bennington Carriages is a family owned business. Founded in 1962 by Michael Mart, Bennington originally specialised in the production of horseboxes and trailers. The arrival of two Shetland ponies marked the starting point for today's Bennington Carriages. Dusty and Fusty were bought for Michael's children, but the ponies showed little interest in being ridden and so using his engineering expertise, he developed a carriage that would allow the ponies to be safely driven. It wasn't long before they started taking part in the then new competitive sport of Driving Trials.

During these competitions, Michael observed that the traditional carriages being used were highly unstable and unsuitable for competitive driving. With this in mind, Michael started designing the Bennington range of carriages. During the 1970's the Bennington Carriage soon became synonymous with innovative design, exceptional quality and outstanding customer service. The patron of the sport HRH the Duke of Edinburgh awarded Bennington the Royal Warrant in 1979, and the company proudly retains it today.

Underpinning the excellence of the Bennington carriage is the continued focus on innovation. Many features on today's carriages are the result of Bennington's ongoing commitment to pioneering design. Examples include the back step that allows the groom to stand behind the driver to aid stability, the aluminium wheel that is lighter and stronger than wood and Bennington's renowned delayed steering. Bennington also pioneered carriage powder coating which delivers great improvement in paint finish and durability.

Over the last 50 years, Bennington has manufactured carriages for the British monarchy, The Sultan of Brunei, The Disney Corporation as well as to driving enthusiasts the world over. Sue Mart, daughter of Michael, has now taken up the business reins and makes sure Bennington remains true to its roots, remaining family owned and employing 15 highly skilled local craftspeople who design, manufacture and support these very fine carriages.

Together with Sister Wendy, Sue has been competing since an early age. Team Bennington competes in the Horse Driving Trials Advanced Single Pony class and has represented Great Britain on more than one occasion. At the 2009 FEI World Combined Pony Championships in Greven, Germany, Sue and Wendy achieved 7th place overall and were the highest placed British competitors. So they know their stuff when it comes to driving and manufacturing carriages. Does it give them an added advantage?

Only up to a point, says Sue with a smile.It certainly helps in the design and development of carriages to be competitors, because we know what we want and need the carriage to achieve to get that edge. We also know our carriages inside out, which helps when we're competing. However, we still have a third member of the driving team (the pony) who has a mind of his own and we are up against other competitors who are driving our carriages too. So we really don't have that much advantage - we still have to be very, very good at our sport!‚ Training other drivers to be good at the sport is also a significant element of the Bennington business. Sue has trained to be a UKCC Level 3 coach in Driving and the Bennington Driving Academy offers a wide range of carriage driving experiences for all levels and disciplines - from novice to advanced and from pleasure to competition.

Try Driving days are a fun and inexpensive introduction to the sport. During the two-hour one to one session, Sue teaches the essentials of driving. First timers learn how to harness the pony and perform some basic safety checks on the harness. You get to drive one of Bennington's well trained ponies in the Bennington Fun Bug and learn how to use subtle body movements to steer and control the pony through cones and round corners. You also learn how to accelerate and slow down. If the weather is inclement, Bennington has a fibre-sand indoor arena to drive in. On fine days students can make the most of the Academy's big open fields, dressage arena and cones course. Whether outdoor or indoor, Sue ensures that your first time 'behind the reins' is thoroughly enjoyable and safe.

As well as tailor-made one to one coaching for drivers of all levels, the Academy runs a series of master classes throughout the year. Over the last 12 months the classes have included a cones master class with Barry Hunter, a driven dressage master class with James Rooney and carriage maintenance classes so drivers can learn how to keep their carriages in tip-top condition.

It's great to see drivers of all levels attending these events and learning from the wealth of experience that our invited experts can offer, Sue tells us.On Barry's master class, for example, we learnt how cones course designers are looking to design courses that will challenge drivers and ensure that success on the course requires a careful mix of tactics and strategy. It was a master class in how to mentally disassemble and reassemble a cones course to determine the optimum route and achieve the best result.

Our driven dressage master class with James Rooney, a British Dressage List 3A judge, showed us what the judge is looking for and what the judge can and cannot see. James's approach is to focus on a strong partnership between horse and rider, building trust and understanding to present a picture of perfect harmony in the dressage arena.

Would you know how to change a wheel bearing or your brake pads or even bleed your brakes? DO you even know where these things are? That's what the carriage maintenance master class is for. The skilled craftsmen that make the Bennington carriages teach you how to perform these basic maintenance tasks and provide lots of other essential hints and tips.

The Academy has a range of facilities for drivers wanting to improve their skills including a 100m x 40m outdoor dressage arena, obstacle course and water splash, cones course, grass fitness track and the indoor 47m x 13m fibre-sand training arena. There's ample hard standing parking, refreshment facilities, toilets and wash down facilities for both carriages and horses.

There are even day boxes for hire so your horse can enjoy a little comfort while visiting the Academy. And if you want someone to train your horse to harness, experienced trainer, David Veasey, is on hand to provide that service.

So whether you are an absolute beginner wanting to try something new or a competitive driver wanting to skill up to improve your placing, the Bennington Driving Academy has it covered.

A Try Driving day also makes a great present; There is always someone you find it hard to buy for. Not now!

Mkulu Kei Horse Trails is proud to offer you the horse trail of a lifetime with our expansion into the Sunshine Coast of South Africa, an area known for its un-spoilt beauty, kilometer upon kilometer of pristine beaches and abundant and diverse sea, plant, animal and bird life.

Historically this area was home to the Khoi San people who lived off the pickings from the ocean and their middens are still to be found in the dunes, uncovered by the winds, and contain the shells of sea creatures that made up their diet, stone age tools and shards of their pottery along with the occasional bone from long dead whales washed up onto the shore.

The first European to discover this coastline was Bartholomew Diaz who erected a cross at Kwaai Hoek on 12 March 1488. Since then the spice trade between India and Europe passed these shores and left the inevitable ship wreaks, some of which are still visible today, most notable of these are the Volo shipwreck that happened on 6 March 1886 and the Sao Joao Baptista, wrecked in 1622 in a battle with two Dutch East Indiamen. Two cannon were recovered from the wreck off the Sao Joao Baptista and are now on display at Cannon Rocks.

With the European expansion northwards from Cape Town this area saw many wars and skirmishes between the European settlers and the indigenous inhabitants, and between the English and the Afrikaans settlers all intent on claiming a piece of this paradise for themselves.

In contrast to its tumultuous past the area is now a peaceful haven for man and beast alike and provides a beautiful setting for one of the premium horse riding experiences in South Africa. The warm Indian Ocean abounds with whales, dolphins, seals and sea birds, while the coast is home to numerous species of buck, monkeys, otters and innumerable bird species, all jealously protected by the farmers along the coast.

The trail route follows the coast from Kleinmond in the west to Cannon Rocks in the east, stopping overnight at small, family run, B&BS renowned for their traditional Eastern Cape hospitality and home cooked meals. A back up vehicle is on hand to ferry your luggage from stop to stop. As the route does not turn back on itself no two days are the same, some consist of long open beaches begging to be cantered on, others involve wading or swimming, on horseback, across rivers and estuaries or exploring the flora and fauna of this special area, including indigenous coastal forests and the largest coastal dune field in the world. The route passes the Volo shipwreck and Diaz’s cross, Khoi San middens and fresh water springs in the sand dunes, all in the company of an experienced guide, well versed in the history and ecology of the region and with a passion for the conservation of the local flora and fauna.

The horses are fit and well trained Arabs and Arab crosses with selected larger horses for bigger clients (our weight limit is 95kg). All riding abilities are catered for; we will match a horse to your riding ability before we depart, and, time and tides permitting, we are happy to cater to your pace.

We offer a wide range of saddle options to suit your preference.

Trails depart on the first Friday of every month (except for January) and, to ensure that we give you a personalized service, we try to limit the group size to 8 riders. Larger groups can however be accommodated on request and additional guides will be provided. To avoid disappointment advance booking is essential.

Nothing quite beats the freedom, exhilaration and sheer fun of galloping along a deserted stretch of beach, your horse's hooves thundering on the sand, the wind tugging at your hair and the salt spray in your face.

If you're one of the lucky riders who has experienced a flat-out beach ride, you'll know exactly what we're talking about and this film from Mountain Horse will bring back happy memories. If you aspire to take your horse to the coast one day, then this breath-taking video could be just the inspiration you need to get you there!

So sit back, watch and enjoy the sublime scenery, heroic horses and creative cinematography brought to you by Mountain Horse.

Comparisons between the countries focus on the mountains, the clean living, the political neutrality and the attention to the environment. The comparisons don't just end there; according to the Happy Planet Index, a project of the New Economics Foundation, Costa Rica leads the world ahead of Switzerland which ranks number four. The HP Index measures life expectancy, experienced well being and ecological footprint.

With over 25% of the land in this tiny country protected National Park it's no surprise that tourism is the number one industry in Costa Rica. Last year more than 37,000 British tourists came to Costa Rica, a growing number particularly in niche sectors like bird watching. This narrow bridge between North and South America provides an incredibly high density of wildlife. For example, almost 900 species of bird have been recorded here, more than all of the US and Canada combined.

Apart from the outstanding wildlife watching and 'adrenaline' sports such as white-water rafting and zip lining through the rainforest canopy, Costa Rica is a well established location for horse riding tours. Most of these tours are half day or full day tours in popular locations like the slopes of Arenal Volcano, Montverde Cloud forest, and also on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.

There is nothing more romantic than the sight of horses running along a deserted tropical beach, watching the sunset on the horizon. The North West region of Guanacaste is famous not only for its stunning beaches, but the drier savannah landscape is dotted with traditional cowboy ranches or haciendas.

Horse riding tours here are generally designed for a wide level of abilities including advanced riders. For more adventurous holidays on horseback, multiday trips are possible which include rest days and optional activities such as nature hikes and even dance classes. Horseback tours give 'off the beaten track' access to the beautiful countryside, which most visitors to Costa Rica rarely get to see except through a coach or car window.

My Holiday in Costa Rica! is an online travel company that designs personalized tours for independent travellers to this exotic paradise. We are a British-Costa Rican couple who know the country, the best places to go and the best places to stay. We can arrange horse riding tours as well as tours with a focus on wildlife viewing. If you want to relax on a palm fringed beach or soak in volcanic hot springs Costa Rica has it all. Just book your flight to Costa Rica and leave the rest to us!

]]>Riding - Riding Experiences and HolidaysFri, 03 May 2013 08:29:43 +0100WHY NOT HAVE A GO AT POLO? - Jane did and had so much fun http://horseanswerstoday.com/latest-riding-tips-and-advice/rider-experience-and-holidays/item/555-polo-why-not-have-a-go-i-did-and-had-so-much-fun
http://horseanswerstoday.com/latest-riding-tips-and-advice/rider-experience-and-holidays/item/555-polo-why-not-have-a-go-i-did-and-had-so-much-funPOLO - why not have a go, I did and had so much fun!

Throughout my very fortunate life with horses I have been privileged to have watched Polo matches in the UK and New Zealand and have always been fascinated by the speed and agility of both horse and rider.

This must be another sport I really must have a go at sometime, so different from anything else I have done.

During a hunting day I had a chat with Paul Piddington, who is the owner and manager of the Vale of York Polo Club near Doncaster. I was encouraged to give it a go, so I arranged a date and booked the one hour beginners lesson.

Paul's yard has a club house, stabling for 40 ponies, turnout paddocks and the playing field; there are ponies to hire to compete or have lessons on and with Paul being a highly recognised and respected HPA certificated coach, all abilities are catered for from the absolute novice like me to competing team members. I knew I would be in good hands and immediately I was put at ease and was filled with an anxious excitement.

Paul introduced me to my polo Pony, a little thoroughbred ex-racehorse mare called Millie, which Paul had re-trained, he informed me that all his hire ponies are expertly trained to respond to all the aids used in polo.

This is one sport where a good pony does not make a good rider; it really is a riding skill to learn in order to use the pony to its full potential. Paul encouraged me to enjoy the lesson and relax - all would be fine!

Here we go, my first task was to be shown how to hold the reins correctly, as you can imagine this is very important as whilst playing you never have the chance to reorganise them because you have the polo stick in the other hand.

I was then introduced to the polo stick which was larger than I expected, and I was set the challenge of walking with it resting on my shoulder, five minuets later there I was polo stick held in the right place, I was amazed as to how comfortable it was.

Then came the real challenge, with Millie standing patiently I was asked to wield the polo stick around at the side of her, judging the sticks length and keeping it straight‚Äö√Ñ¬∂ Not easy when you are constantly worried about hitting the pony. Paul told me to stop worrying and simple focus on the stick and not Millie. It worked and I soon found myself swinging with relative ease.

Now slightly more confident with reins and stick, Paul introduced me to the training ground where there were two training lanes of cones. Each lane was laid out to teach me how to steer my pony from left then right all in walk, I was shown how to use my body weight in the saddle and the neck rein and although Paul made it look easy, I very quickly discovered the pony did not automatically bend when I used just the neck rein and I had to start moving my position in the saddle from straight to lift and try and face the pony's tail every time I turned left or right.

Wow! I was doing it and although only in walk, it felt good‚Äö√Ñ¬∂. Not for long, I was soon directed by Paul to try turning and swinging in a trot, as you can imagine everything went a little pear shaped, lots of movement and trying to control the stick, it was hilarious and Millie who stayed calm must have been wondering what on earth was happening!

Having managed to finally get some control back, well as best I could, we rode out on to the polo pitch to learn how to canter and turn. As long as I went straight I was doing well and managed to even keep things flowing however the turning was still an issue and when Paul finally introduced the ball things really got tough‚Äö√Ñ¬∂ pony, steering, stick and ball, I didn't know what to focus on first.

I was determined to continue; I was having fun and enjoying my new learning's. I wanted to get down the pitch and score. I pulled it together and with some intense concentration, focussed on my timing whilst trying to organise my seat and with much effort I wielded my stick and moved the direction of my well schooled pony towards the target. I managed to get a shot at goal, not great but it went in‚Äö√Ñ¬∂. It felt great.

Paul and I continued to knock around doing various practise shots and exercises for the rest of the lesson, and every time I managed to connect with the ball I let out a squeal of excitement.

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, Millie was marvellous, very patient and kind, and Paul was so right I didn't have to worry as she took me to the ball more often than not. I had so much fun and I would strongly recommend that everyone should at least have one go.

Going on a riding camp is a fantastic way to spend time with the animals you adore, meet fantastic like minded people, and experience amazing locations terrains and a different riding experience.

So why not get together with some of your friends to see whether a horsey holiday would be possible?

Here are some of the things you need to think about:

What do you want to do on holiday? If you want a mix of tuition plus beach riding then your location will be key. If you just want tuition you should have more choice.

How far are you prepared to travel? If you only want to travel, say for an hour, it may well restrict your choice of venue.

Within your travel limits, how much choice do you have regarding venues? If, for example, you are looking for training places, somewhere like Milton Keynes Event Centre, usually has all you need for the horses and will know of local B & Bs etc. If you just want a hacking holiday have a look at the BHS publication, which lists B & Bs for horses and riders.

Where are the riders going to stay? Some centres allow you to stay in your horseboxes - check first, rather than just assume. (NB - some places are happy for you to take your dog, others won't allow it. Find out if there are local cottages to rent as holiday lets or local B & Bs for those who don't want to, or can't stay, in horseboxes. Having a cottage is really useful as it means you all have somewhere to eat, have showers, spend the evening etc.

How will you organize meals? We all eat together but you may decide to cook for yourself in your horsebox or go to a local pub. If going to the pub, it's wise to book in advance, especially if you are a larger group eg eight people or more.

Getting the costs together - two of your party should get the costs in, make sure you are not forgetting anything, and then calculate the cost of the holiday. Remember to include: costs of instruction; costs of stabling; food for all breakfasts, lunches, evening meals and snacks; hire of facilities (can include cottages if on site, a general fee for the use of the arenas without the presence of an instructor etc); thank you gifts for your instructors; other costs eg if staying in a cottage you may need to provide soap, loo rolls, washing up liquid etc or you may decide to take a taxi together one evening into the local town. Double check when you get costings whether VAT is payable or not.

Once you have the total costs you can work out the cost for each participant. You may need to adjust costs a little eg if you all eat/shower in a cottage but some stay in their horseboxes they will pay less than those that sleep in the cottage.

You'll need to pay deposits and you all need to agree what happens should anyone be unable to attend at the last minute.

The final payment for a cottage is usually made one to two months before arrival so whoever is organizing everything needs to make sure they have enough money from everyone to make the payment. Instructors are usually paid on departure - some will quote per hour, others have a daily rate. You must keep track of an instructor's hours to ensure that you do not go over budget.

So, if you fancy going away with your horse and a few friends, why not organize your own horse camp?